|
I guess the best way to tell a story is to start with the beginning.
Shortly after "The Rain, the Park, and Other Things" came out, a story on the Cowsills appeared in our local newspaper. Before that, my sister and I knew very little about the group. But the Cowsills were, and still are, unique. We were surprised and happy to learn that they were a family group and so clean cut and everything. Not a run-of-the-mill group. They were different.
A CALL FROM JOHN
My sister Debbie, who is fourteen, (she was thirteen then) really flipped over John. I think it's because they have similar personalities. (But don't ya think they look alike? Maybe a little?) She bought a gold ring for him with his name engraved and sent it to the Newport Post Office. Obviously the package was forward onto John, because a few weeks later John Cowsill himself called us. He wanted to speak to Debbie, but she wasn't home at the time.
Nancy snapped this pic of me (Debbie) with Barry and John.
|
|
Bob (left) is fantastic - and so funny! Bill's serious, a leader.
We knew that she'd be so disappointed that she missed his call, so he promised to call the following night. Well, he did and our entire family became devoted Cowsill luvvers!
WE MEET THE COWSILLS
Several months later we heard they were to appear at Gimbels Department Store in New York City. My grandmother took us over there and by a minor miracle I was able to obtain an interview with them before they went on stage in Gimbels auditorium. I don't have to tell you how many screaming, hysterical fans were there. I got crushed several times that day! Debbie introduced us as we walked in the room and they remembered us from Debbie sending the ring. I did nothing but take pictures.
Bob is really outasite. He has the world's greatest sense of humor! I was walking past him and he had a Danish pastry in hand. I heard him say, "Want a bite?" twice, but I thought he meant Paul. Then he suddenly jumped in front of me
|
|
and stuck the whole pastry right in my face. Everyone cracked up in that room!
My camera, naturally, didn't work right that day. Everything went wrong. I got so exasperated at the stupid camera because Mr. Cowsill was posing with John and the dumb camera wouldn't click! I felt so embarrassed. But Mrs. Cowsill told me to bring the camera to her, and she and Paul fixed it. Then Paul (who had such an outgoing personality) started taking pictures of Debbie and myself.
Well, I really didn't interview them, I more or less grooved with them for 2-1/2 glorious hours!
A GROOVY FAMILY
Oh! But let me give you my impressions of each Cowsill. Susan Cowsill is an ideal little girl. She's polite, very intelligent, and has the most bubbly personality! She is so poised and mature towards other girls her age. John has the face of
"Want a bite?" Bob said. I thought he meant Paul - but he meant me!
|
Page 2
Two Lucky Teens Really Hit The Jackpot When They Got To Meet All Of Their Fave Cowsills At One Time. Here's How It Happened!
|
Susan is so polite and intelligent - such a bubbly personality.
a little imp! You can't help but fall in love with him! Barry is a teaser, girls, so watch out! He'll be a real heartbreaker when he starts dating! Paul is the boy next door, a true friend, a great kidder, and he's really very understanding. Bob is crazy, funny, cute, a little boy, a man. You have to meet him. He's fantastic. Bill is a thinker, a leader, sometimes serious, sometimes funny.
Me, Nancy, with Bill. He keeps the younger Cowsills in line.
|
|
He's the guy responsible for keeping the younger Cowsills in line! (Dick Cowsill was, and still is, in the Army so we never met him. But I'm sure he's a groove too!) And last, but not least, Mr. and Mrs. Cowsill. Well, what can one say! If there were ever an award for the ideal parents, Bud and Barbara Cowsill would get most of the honors! They are the nicest people
Mrs. Cowsill helped fix my camera, then posed for this pic with Bill.
|
|
that Debbie and I have ever met.
Well, that's our story. I hope that the Cowsills read this because once again I'd like to thank them for meeting us. I just wish that every teenager and his or her parents would take a long look at the Cow-sills and think what they could do to be closer knit. For the Cowsills in one word can be described as Love.
Bud and Barbara Cowsill (here with John) get my vote as ideal parents.
|
|
